Lego and Hasbro Toy Design Gurus to Speak at the Inventors’ Workshop

Budding toy and board game inventors will have a unique opportunity to meet professional toy designers from some of the world’s biggest toy companies at this year’s Inventors Workshop.

Samuel Thomas Johnson, a toy designer with LEGO Group, and Hasbro’s Dougal Grimes are among those confirmed to speak at the one day event, which takes place on 22 September at Whittlebury Hall in Northamptonshire.

The workshop provides both new and experienced toy and board game designers with a chance to take part in life-changing face to face ‘pitch’ meetings with leading toy companies as well as benefit from a morning of educational sessions covering critical issues including funding, toy safety, legislation, intellectual property protection, using technology and pitching to retail

Hasbro’s Dougal Grimes will lead a panel session called How We Made It!, which will see Samuel Thomas Johnson, Jenga inventor Leslie Scott and Crazy Cart creator Ali Kermani deliver a rare insight into life as a toy designer and the secrets behind the success of some of the industry’s best loved products.

“It’s always important for new toy and game inventors to understand the challenges that others are going through,” said Dougal Grimes, Hasbro. “And it’s important for toy companies to support the inventor community because if they are successful they’ll invent more, and we want to keep that community alive.”

Also on the How We Made It! panel is Gillian Logan, who attended the inaugural conference as a delegate last year with her idea for Skinny Sketcher drawing kits. A major toy manufacturer signed Gillian on the spot and her product is now in production and on the cusp of going on sale.

“Getting to pitch your ideas to the toy industry’s major players is a fantastic opportunity for inventors, some of whom have been trying to get in front of the decision makers for years, and everyone who attended last year came away feeling inspired, energised and better placed to get their products on toy shop shelves,” Gillian Logan, Skinny Sketcher.

Billy Langsworthy, Inventors Workshop conference director, finished by saying: “Toy and board game inventors could not be more important to the toy industry because, without them, there would be no new toys, no new play experiences the industry would stagnate.

“The tricky part for inventors who know they have a great product is getting in front of the right people. They can spend years patiently knocking on doors in the hope of getting their products noticed and picked up. We launched the Inventors Workshop to expedite that process and their frustration and we’ve stepped things up this year with an inspiring conference programme and the life changing One2One sessions that will give inventors an even greater chance of connecting with the right business partner.”

Tara: Please could you tell me a little bit about where you are based, your background experience how you first started inventing?

David: I am based in Aylesbury – Buckinghamshire – England

Today I am a retired ‘OAP’ who requires funding for the Invention and create a ‘BRAND NAME’ for the product

Life began as a bonded apprentice to the motor trade as a Coach Builder & more, when I completed my apprenticeship I changed careers for one of Public Service and was very much focused on problem solving on every aspect life could bring with it in the Human sense. This provided an opportunity as the years rolled by to use my skills and experiences in focusing and challenging my knowledge into Disruptive technology – Doing things differently and to improve on the present at the time – Never to accept it cannot be done that way or this, push the boundaries to its limit for change and never take no for an answer. Be a free thinker without handicaps or devils advocates tripping you up as to what your passions and dreams are made of and to find that extra mile to bring too fruition and the reality of seeing your achievements come to life for the benefits of others.

Tara: Please could you tell me a little bit about your invention, what it is, and how you came up with the idea?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-XAR2svRDU

David: The multitask Joist Hanger was designed to incorporate those who lack the skills and knowledge of Construction, whether it be for DIY use in building Sheds, Bases, Workshops & Decking. The building industry clearly does not like change and very much sits on protectionism and cartels as by rule of thumb.

The lay person, the public in general would not normally consider using single joist hangers as such products are confined to the building industry. Therefore, my product opens up a greater market where those who are able and capable of using a lightweight product that once used forms a very solid construction, where timber joists are supported and cradled and not just timber to timber fixing. In today’s markets the public have greater use of garden sheds and workshops for business and pleasure. Of course floors and roofs require strengthened support and to be easily constructed without specialist skills my product achieves that for the lay person. Furthermore, unlike single hangers, my product can be recycled many times over to be cost effective for the user.

To provide a quality product that caters more for the user in being lightweight and an adaptable product in building a quality product of their own albeit, a shed or workshop etc that affords their own dreams in shape, design and use.

Tara: What were the first steps you took after having your idea?

David: Two o/clock one morning (7 yrs ago) the hanger concept along with three other ideas plagued my sleep until I decided to use the Computer and start off loading my thoughts and ideas and this I did, So hours later I had knocked into shape 4 new inventions. The hanger project came first and is and always been my main choice to continually pursue until fruition (meaning that I was able to obtain a British Patent)I had many comments about it could not be done, how can you etc, well the proof of the pudding is in the eating – I own today the Patent on the invention.

Tara: Did you get presentation drawing sheets produced or make a prototype of your invention, how did you go about this?

David: I approached a professional in mechanical engineering who was able to draw up a series of not to scale drawings, this allowed me to adapt further a number of ideas and then onto the first of the prototypes, the final moment came when I was able to use for the very first time the product. Once satisfied I had more manufactured for home use and to create decking walkways around my garden and office as seen in the pictures shown on the website.

Tara: Did you try and patent or protect your idea in any way and how did you go about it?

David: From start to finish (Grant of Patent) has took seven years (7 yrs) of my life, I suppose it’s about living the dream against adversity and those who tried to disrupt or slow me down. Although, none of this would have been possible without finding and engaging with a Patent Attorney who had the same beliefs and energy to make it all happen for me. Working as a team effort to consider every possible eventuality as to the workings of the Hanger and includes a Patent application that remains very comprehensive and includes other inventions within the Patent.

Tara: Did you always intend manufacturing your invention yourself or did you look into licensing the idea?

David: I am by circumstance a serial inventor who specialises in disruptive technologies. How my thinking works and where the ideas come from I have decided not to challenge or analysis my thoughts. Others have tried, so the bigger challenge is with so many ideas and projects do I want to manage and market one Invention or do I consider alternatives by Partner Investing, Joint Ventures, and Collaboration or to license on the Invention for royalty payments. To this end I am still very open-minded as to what best suits my situation and to consider any commercial interests in sharing equity and this remains THE CASE TODAY – I AM OPEN TO OFFERS.

Tara: How did you go about finding a suitable manufacturer for your invention and did you self fund this?

David: I spent 5 years researching and browsing the internet for a British Company able to produce my Prototypes. The task was very frustrating as clearly this would not have been a problem in my younger years as Britain had the skills and opportunities to produce anything one required. I had been quoted a price of £16.000 to £30.000 for tooling requirements in order to produce my product. I knew this was not the case that somewhere I would find a company and indeed a company virtually on my own doorstep and able to manufacture and produce volume at an affordable price to trade on for profit and allows for big margins across the board.

Tara: What have you found are the best ways of promoting your invention?

David: At the moment ‘NONE’ although, the shopping channels would be idea and would keep advertising to a very minimal cost overall as television exposure would provide a greater market than using numerous sources and obviously the financial implications would be far greater than I would want at this stage of the product. Again I have found a greater interest through word and mouth as peoples common sense values are soon realised as the product is very visual and unlike the single hanger products. One pair of my products provides an Instant, Fast fixing solution in minutes, this could be a shed base 10 ft X 10 ft, where as the single hanger requires much more time in fixing, spacing out and leveling off.

Tara: What were the most difficult elements of bringing your invention to market?

David: Funding today is my greatest challenge in knowing how this product would change people’s lives. The Building Hanger for new build dwellings (requires certification) would take more than a week off the build in time and labour. What I have achieved overall has been self funded by myself and as an ‘OAP’ much of what I have available has gone towards the Invention and protecting my Patents as I have Patent Protection in Europe, Canada and USA and of course this is a very expensive exercise but is vital and essential in order to succeed.

Tara: How long has it taken from your initial idea to taking it to market?

David: 7 years, although, once again Funding is the most difficult as any lone and independent Inventor in Britain will tell you that the Business, Innovation & Skills Department (British Government) very much ignores the difficulties that we as individuals experience as we have no backup services like Corporations and Universities our lives are very much governed by those closest to us or we go with cap in hand and just hope that we will be recognised. The lone Inventor does not have a national body to represent them, so being very much a one man or women band is and will always be time consuming in search of being accepted and where this will bring the funding opportunities one hopes for to bring the Invention to market

Tara: Is there anything you learned developing your invention that you would now do differently if you had to do it all again?

David: Consultants, the market is littered with consultants and all sing from the same song sheet. They all appear to have the answers as to how you should be approaching the markets and how you should be running your business. But then I prefer Action to words, so be careful and not put your hand in your pocket and throw good money after bad. At times I have wondered as to how many have swallowed and digested the same dictionary, very flowering statements by most but little mention of your product(s) The paranoia that surrounds business plans is so comical and at times very scientific (if you let them) mind boggling performances and should be awarded Oscars for their efforts. There are very good people out there but you need to research before committing one’s self, services are free, but be wise in your choice. My main argument is simple if such people were that wise with business, then surely they ought to be multi-millionaires enjoying retirement, but my experience overall is the laziness of the individual, had a big lunch, eyes fluttering and you are talking to a person in a suit, why should they get their hands dirty when they have you hook line and sinker.

Tara: What advice would you give any aspiring inventor with an idea?

David: Do as much prior research as one can possibly do – Does your Invention solve a problem – Is it better than what is sold on the market or is your idea the first of a new generation of undiscovered products. Use the Patent Office and British Library for free advice and research. Keep a tight rein on your confidentiality and to engage ones thinking to establish ‘Proof of Concept’. When satisfied source out a reputable Patent Attorney who shows a true interest rather than just another customer coming through the door, you need a friend and confidante one who you can relate too as a working team and consider the overall costs involved and how you can cover such immediate costs before you apply for a Patent Application – Never be rushed, be patient and be confident with your endeavours overall.

A while ago I posted up about Leicester Startdom (Business Startup) Weekend so I thought I would share my experience of the weekend. It is something which should be of interest to anyone looking to start any sort business including inventors wanting to bring products to market, but who need to know how to test if their ideas are viable before plunging in time or cash.

Another FREE Startup Weekend running in Leicester on 27th June

There is another FREE Startdom Weekend running in Leicester on 27th June so if you want to learn how to start a business without wasting time and money check it out at Meetup.com. I am going again!

So what happens at the Startdom Weekend?

The Friday Pitch (don’t worry it’s only if you want to)

On Friday I went to the building in Leicester known as Incubate, a hub designed to help new start-ups. The event started about 6 and up on the top floor there were about 20 chairs ready for people to arrive, people interested in starting a new business just like me. Things like this are always pretty daunting, so I found a friendly face and sat down. The evening was for anyone who wanted to to pitch a business idea – it didn’t have to be big or polished as long as you got the idea across. If you didn’t have an idea you wanted to pitch that was fine too.

The ideas were voted on by everyone taking part in the weekend and the ones with the most votes were chosen (mine was not – quick sob! ). We could then choose which project we wanted to work on for the weekend. Ideas ranged from an online gift business, to recycling metal in computers to alcoholic beverages. And if that wasn’t enough for one night there was take-away pizza to eat too :).

Saturday – The Lean Canvas

We had to throw away any ideas we had of writing a big business plan and instead we learned about the lean canvas. The lean canvas is a sort of one page business plan designed to make you look at key areas of the business – assumed target market, biggest risks, who is your customer etc. One of the biggest things that I, and I think most people are apprehensive of is that we had to find potential customers to talk to to find out if the idea was viable. Our team were working on a Beer idea so this meant talking to people in bars. Walking up to strangers to ask them questions is not something I or most people are very comfortable with, but it had to be done and no-one told us to “get lost”. You also learn what sort of questions you should ask – to ask questions only in the past ie. Do you drink beer, what sort of beer do you like etc. You shouldn’t ask things like “WOULD you drink this type of beer” as this is all guess work and often people say what they think you want to hear (or say yes to get rid of you).

Mentors

Imagine having access to several business mentors from all different types of business at your disposal to give their advice on how to progress the project (you can also get help with your own ideas too). That’s exactly what you get at the Startdom Weekend – and all for FREE!

Sunday Stick or Pivot the Business Idea

Sunday was a case at looking at the responses and revisiting the lean canvas to decide if the original idea was viable. If not, can you “bend” the idea a little or pivot as the call it in the world of Lean Startup to give the potential customer something they will want?

Overall Experience

I really enjoyed the weekend, as well as the tuition and mentors one of the things I enjoyed was having like-minded entrepreneurial people around me all with a common goal to start a new business.

D2M have recently launched a new, nationwide Innovation competition for inventors, to have the chance of having their idea fully designed, manufactured and retailed at no personal cost. Applications are being taken from April the 1st 2014, but people can register their interest now.

Shortlisted applicants will go before a Dragons Den style panel to pitch their idea and the winner will receive expert support to transform their idea into a commercial reality.

“The event will start with an introductory evening meeting on Friday 4th April 2014 at Exchange Bar, 50 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RD. UPDATE: Friday will now be at at 18:00 in the Incubator at Incubate Leicester, 117 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6FD. In this meeting you will be able to form teams and vote for the most profitable ideas. The atmosphere will be informal, friendly and full of excitement.

The next two days (Saturday and Sunday) will be dedicated to business building with the help of business advisors, MENTORS and entrepreneurs. The teaching will be intense and the learning will be fast paced. The aim will be to have an initial product and maybe also a customer by the end of the weekend.”

For anyone interested in being part of a new startup and meeting interesting people this sounds like a great idea especially if you are anywhere near Leicester UK.I’d go if I hadn’t already got something on that weekend.

Tara: Please could you tell me a little bit about where you are based, your background experience how you first started inventing?

Shawn: I am located in Phoenix Arizona. When I first started, I did not know where to turn. I was only 16, living in Ohio, had no money, and no one around me with patent experience so I thought I was stuck. However, what I did know was that it’s important to protect your idea because what may be a dream to you may be a nightmare to someone else. So I eventually turned to turn to an invention submission company for protection. They were eager to help me following an $11,000 upfront fee. After doing an assignment an investor gave me I found out through the Better Business Bureau that the invention submission company had numerous lawsuits pending against it. I now have my Master’s in Business Management with an minor in Entrepreneurship and have been inventing for over 20 years.

Tara: Please could you tell me a little bit about your invention, what it is, and how you came up with the idea?

Shawn: We are the creators of The Electronic Basketball Shooting Coach (EBSC), which is endorsed by college and AAU coaches and is ergonomically design to help kids develop the muscle memory needed to maintain proper form when shooting a basketball. I came up with this product while I was trying to teach my son the proper way to shoot a basketball. As I looked around the park I saw that a lot of kids were trying to learn the same thing but didn’t have anyone there to teach them properly. The adults that were with the kids didn’t have the knowledge to teach them properly either. That is when I first came up with the idea. What sets this product apart is the Chip On Board technology that allows this product to talk to you. Yes, it talks! It’s like having a coach on your arm! (Good for people of all ages). Our recently patented product is the answer to the youth’s dilemma when learning how to shoot a basketball correctly. Our product, the Electronic Basketball Shooting Coach, helps create the muscle memory need to maintain proper form when shooting a basketball. The E.B.S.C is lightweight weighing only 70 grams, self contained, and easy to use. It will make learning how to properly shoot a basketball more exciting, especially for the millions of youth basketball players who are fast becoming students of the game and not just players of the game. Up until now, a novice basketball player had no accurate method to identify if they were shooting a basketball properly. When you shoot the basketball with the elbow tucked in the product will not sound but if your elbow is out when you shoot the basketball then an alarm will talk and tell you to “keep your elbow tucked in”. Speaking four different phrases when you wear this product it’s like having a real coach on your arm! We have revolutionized the way youth are taught how to shoot a basketball and have raised the bar for the industry by supplying a higher performing product, which ensures a higher performance for the consumer. Golf is next!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm_Om4yh1qU

Tara: What were the first steps you took after having your idea?

Shawn: I did not know it at the time but the library is where the first step of my thousand-mile journey began. I decided to check out a book on patents. I know its considered taboo to attempt to learn about patents but my inquiring mind wanted to know what was so terrifying. I had to find out why patent attorney’s or invention submission companies are the only entities entitled to learn about the patent process. That day changed my life forever.

Tara: Did you get presentation drawing sheets produced or make a prototype of your invention, how did you go about this?

Shawn: I found a toy designer online to build my prototype for me. Now, I am not an attorney but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention to clearly state everything you want them to do for you in writing in a signed contract. I bring it up because somewhere along the process the toy designer began to love my idea so much that he asked if I wanted to renegotiate the contract we had. After I declined, he said “I wish I had asked for more in the beginning”. I did have a company make some drawings for me which helped when I began to patent my product.

Tara: Did you try and patent or protect your idea in any way and how did you go about it?

Shawn: After learning about different patents, I decided to save time and money by preparing a provisional patent on my own before developing a utility patent. The provisional patent gave me a year to conduct focus groups to find out if my product was functional before I spent thousands on a utility patent. I filed for an utility patent own my own and have just been approved for my utility patent on 6/18/2013. People said I needed a patent attorney but I didn’t. We can do anything we put our minds too.

Tara: Did you always intend manufacturing your invention yourself or did you look into licensing the idea?

Shawn: I have always intended to manufacture my product. It has been difficult but it has been fun. I got online and found companies that could manufacture my product. I am now working with off shore companies but it can be hard because when a change needs to be made it takes a longer time to have the changes made. Recently I have begun looking for licensing deals.

Tara: How did you go about finding a suitable manufacturer for your invention and did you self fund this?

Shawn: I contacted offshore agents who offered to find companies but because of my limited capital I decided to find some companies I have been blessed enough to have find two offshore companies to make my product.

Tara: What have you found are the best ways of promoting your invention?

Shawn: The best ways I have found to promote my invention is through social media sites and through my website. I have found a marketing company that has helped me get my product in desired events.

Tara: What were the most difficult elements of bringing your invention to market?

Shawn: It is hard trying to get in front of buyers for companies and raising the funding to build inventory. Most times major companies want you to have the clients and orders before contacting them but its hard if you don’t have the money to do so.

Tara: How long has it taken from your initial idea to taking it to market?

Shawn: It has taken about 3 years because I wanted to make sure I had all of my I’s dotted and T’s crossed before I tried to contact any companies. I have heard of people having their ideas stolen because they were not properly protected.

Tara: Is there anything you learned developing your invention that you would now do differently if you had to do it all again?

Shawn: I wouldn’t do anything differently!

Tara: What advice would you give any aspiring inventor with an idea?

Shawn: I would tell them to never give up on their dreams! Its going to be hard, people are going to tell you it wont work, people are going to envious, but don’t let it stop you. Take one-step at a time, put yourself around positive people, talk to people that are at the level you are trying to get too, and just do it!

I have recently been trying to come up with names for a company and finding it very difficult to come up with anything original, interesting and where the dot com domain is still available. I have just found this excellent set of slides which offers loads of advice and resources for creative product/business name ideas. Check it out below:

Let’s face it one-to-one tuition and mentorship is USUALLY pretty expensive, but what if we all helped each other by swapping our skills?

For Example – I am learning to program Ruby on Rails and would love to have a Mentor I could go to when I am really stuck. Well, I would be happy to help them learn design or even do some design work in return.

You could swap

Business start up help for Photoshop work

Help with drawings of your invention for Marketing Help

Spanish conversation practice for Maths help

Design Mentoring for Guitar Mentoring

You get the gist – you swap some of your time/expertise for the other persons.

I just wanted to let you know about a few free and inexpensive classes which might be of interest to anyone wanting to start a business or create a product on a shoestring budget. I am not sure how long the free courses with remain free, so sign up if you are interested quickly (I have).

“The class is designed for entrepreneurs/intrapreneurs looking to launch a startup idea or bring a new product to market. It will show you how to get starting by first capturing your initial vision (or Plan A) and then how to bullet-proof this vision and begin the process of stress-testing your business model.”

“Clearly communicate your startup idea in one sentence Identify the holes in your startup idea and the top 2-3 solutions to plug them Create an action plan with your first five (5) action steps towards validating your startup idea for less than $1,000 Choose one key metric you’ll use to measure success”

I have no experience of this class, but it looks like it could be useful for anyone wanting to get a product manufactured

“You’ll finish knowing how to design, source, and manufacture your product in a step-by-step process. You’ll learn basic manufacturing “speak”, prepare for “sticky spots” like vetting factories and ensuring quality control, and hear from a range of guest experts in this field. You’ll also have access to Vendor and Supplier referrals from myself and my team. You’ll walk away with your very own Production Plan that you can use to take your idea from concept to finished product.”

Find out more about the free class and enrol on Skillshare.com (please note this link gets you a discount of $10 and I will also get a $10 credit)